Barotse activists deny unlawful activities, as judgment is set for March 2016

Afumba Kenny Mombotwa, Sylvester Kalima Inambao, Likando Pelekelo and Paul Masiye Masiyaleti, the four Barotse activists who are charged with treason and are currently detained at the notorious Mukobeko maximum security prison in Kabwe have all told the High court that there was nothing unlawful about calling for the restoration of Barotseland independence.

During their defence which lasted close to four hours, the four said that it was indisputable that there was an agreement entered into between Northern Rhodesia and Barotseland which led to the formation of the independent nation of Zambia. They argued that the said agreement has since been breached by the Zambian government and it was the feeling of the Barotse people to secede from Zambia because all efforts to have the agreement restored have failed.

Mombotwa, Inambao, Pelekelo and Masiyaleti all told the court that the Barotse National Council (BNC) meeting of 2012 which was attended by government officials, security commanders and other diplomats resolved to commence the process of declaring Barotse as an independent state and that Mombotwa was chosen as administrator general to help spearhead the process.

They also denied any involvement in the incriminating exhibits of the flag, national constitution, defence code of conduct and currency notes that were brought by police as they were available on internet and could have been uploaded by many other interested parties.

The four have been slapped with one count of treason after spear heading the independence of Barotseland in line with the resolutions of a legally constituted BNC, whose copy was also sent to state house. Judgment has been set for March next year. The charge of treason carries a maximum of death sentence and if found guilty they may have to be hanged until pronounced dead.